TACLOBAN CITY – A high-ranking official of the New People’s Army (NPA) was killed in an encounter with the military on Thursday, July 25, in General MacArthur, Eastern Samar.
![NPA LEADER EASTERN SAMAR.jpg](https://images.mb.com.ph/production/NPA_LEADER_EASTERN_SAMAR_f381516f89.jpg)
Brig. Gen. Noel Vestuir, commander of the 802nd Infantry Bridade, identified the fatality as Joel Guarino, alias Duran.
Guarino was the leader of Squads 1 and 2 of Apoy Platoon, Sub-Regional Committee Sesame, of the Eastern Visayas Regional Party Committee.
Vestuir said that the 78th Infantry Battalion encountered Guarino who was with about six remnants of Squads 1 and 2 in the vicinity of Barangay Osmena at about 9:25 a.m.
No casualties were reported on the government side, Vestuir said.
Troops recovered a caliber .45 pistol allegedly owned by Guarino.